Extra-Crispy Spicy Fried Chicken with Popeye

Nothing beats some good, old-fashioned Southern cooking, and you’re bound to get the whole family on-board with this copycat recipe for Popeye’s Extra-Crispy Spicy Fried Chicken with Delta?? Sauce. When the family is looking for a quick, easy, and delicious chicken recipe, nothing tops Popeye’s chicken!
Now, I can to satisfy my Louisiana-style fried chicken cravings at home, and this is how I do it:

Extra-Crispy Spicy Fried Chicken with Popeye

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup water
• About 1 cup “Texas Pete” hot red pepper sauce
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoon paprika
• 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 quart buttermilk (optional)
• Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder (to taste)
• 1 (1 to 2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• Peanut Oil, for frying

For the Delta Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup chili sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2-3 dashes hot pepper sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Add Ranch to Your Chicken Dishes

Method

For the chicken:

1. Place cut-up chicken in a large bowl, and cover with buttermilk. Cover and chill for two hours, or overnight. This is an optional (but recommended) step.
2. In a large bowl, add eggs, water, and red pepper sauce. Whisk until combined.
3. In a large gallon freezer bag, mix flour, pepper, paprika, and cayenne.
4. Remove chicken from buttermilk (if marinated) and sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
5. Place all chicken pieces in freezer bag with flour mixture. Shake until all pieces are evenly coated.
6. Remove chicken pieces one at a time, shaking excess flour. Dip each piece in the egg mixture, and return to bag of flour. After all pieces of been dipped in the egg mixture and put back in the bag, give it a second shake to coat chicken pieces again.
7. Heat oil in deep fryer or deep pan to 350 degrees. Working in batches, drop each piece of chicken into the hot oil. Fry for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown, turning occasionally if oil does not completely cover chicken. Keep in mind that dark meat chicken takes longer to cook than white meat. Watch your wing segments, as well; these will finish cooking first.

For the Delta sauce:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for one hour before serving.